God thru the Arts-Advent Journey: Traditions

 

Join me for this God thru the Arts-Advent Journey through the arts of Christmas. Each day I will post a new painting, poem, or piece of music to help you slow down and savor the reason for the season.

Day One

Reflect on your favorite Christmas memory and consider how the meaning of the season has changed for you during your life.

As a child, I remember enjoying all the beauty of the colorfully wrapped packages under the tree. My family made the most of all the joy of    anticipation for Christmas day. Baking cookies while listening to Christmas music playing on the record player and whispering behind closed doors about the many surprises our parents had in store for us.

Share with me your favorite memory. Think about what was important to you in the past and how things might have changed over the years?

How will you honor your family traditions this year?

How might you simplify things to allow time for spiritual reflection?

“Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my lover among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste. He has taken me to the banquet hall and his banner over me is love. Strengthen me with raisins, refresh me with apples , for I am faint with love.”  ~ Song of Songs 2: 3-5

Still Life: Fruit, Bird and Dwarf Pear Tree, 1856, American Artist Charles V. Bond, c. 1825-1864, oil on canvas, 25 x 30 1/8 inches. NGA Open Access This still life painting reminds us of all the abundance God places before us during the holiday season and all year long. How can we remind ourselves more often of God’s rich blessings?